Bastian Lit 1: Minuet in Gm Bach 115 and Piano Fingering Choices

This post includes lesson plans and activities that correlate with  Minuet in G Minor BWV 115 (Schirmer JS Bach AMB, Bastian Piano Lit 1, Easy C to M).

Music Samples and History

The minuet is a light airy dance with small steps. Although there were no dynamic or articulation marks written in the original score, pay attention to how the performers add subtle dynamic changes and vary the articulation to add expression and musicality to this piece.

Listen to Minuet in Gm 115 performed by Lang Lang.

OR Magdalena Hobbs' Performance

Listen to the podcast Classics for Kids Minuets to learn more about this musical form.

Intermediate Piano Fingering

Watch the Tutorial for Choosing Fingering 4:15-14:00

• Try to avoid playing black keys with shorter fingers 1 and 5.
• Use Finger 1 and 5 for octaves where possible.
• Use repeated notes for finger shifts.
• Keep fingering similar while playing similar parts.
• Use the suggested fingerings in the music as a guide.
• Write the fingering in your music.

Polyphony

The minuet in gm includes polyphony a frequent characteristic found in Baroque music.  Listen to the video to hear other examples of polyphony. When playing polyphonic passages practice hands together slowly at first or try singing one voice while playing the other.